Dear prospective applicant:
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rutgers University
currently expects to host
a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in the summer of
2025. This page answers basic questions about the program, but we also invite
you to visit the links above to learn more about about
which projects may be available next summer,
what Rutgers and central New Jersey have to offer,
how to contact us if you have questions,
and how you can apply to the program.
We thank you for your interest and hope to see your application soon!
Sincerely yours,
Andrew Mastbaum,
Ron
Gilman, &
Andrew
Baker (REU executive committee)
When?
The program will run for 10 weeks, from May 27 - August 1, 2025.
(Prospective applicants for whom these dates are problematic are encouraged
to contact us for guidance before submitting
applications.)
Where?
The REU will be hosted by the Department of Physics and Astronomy,
which is located on the New Brunswick/Piscataway campus of Rutgers University,
in central New Jersey. Students will live in on-campus housing alongside
undergraduate participants in other summer research programs and multiple
graduate student resident advisors. Rutgers is conveniently located on the
main train line between New York and Philadelphia (about an hour away from
each) and offers easy driving access to beaches, mountains, and other recreational opportunities.
What?
The focus of the REU program, as its name suggests, is research.
Each participant will work on a different cutting-edge research project
with a faculty mentor and the other members of his/her research group.
Projects will be drawn from up to four
different areas:
- astronomy,
- biophysics,
- high energy and nuclear physics, and
- nanophysics.
Participants will present the results of their projects at an undergraduate
research symposium at the end of the summer, and as appropriate will be
encouraged to continue to work on their projects beyond the end of the summer,
and to present their results at a relevant professional conference within
eight months of the end of the program.
In addition to working on their individual research projects, participants
will meet together for one afternoon each week for a common set of
professional development activities. These sessions will focus on conveying
the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as graduate school applicants,
graduate students, and/or members of the workforce. Opportunities will also
be available to study and prepare for the physics GRE subject tests.
Each REU program participant will receive support in the form of
- a $7000 stipend,
- free on-campus housing,
- payment of all of the costs of travel to and from Rutgers, and
- payment of part or all of the costs of attending a relevant professional
conference.
Participants will also have access to all athletic and recreational
facilities on the Rutgers campus while they are in residence.
Who?
We anticipate being able to support 10 students in 2025.
We welcome applications from all U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and permanent residents who
will have completed 2 to 3 years of undergraduate coursework but not yet have
earned B.A. or B.S. degrees as of June 2025.
Students with limited opportunities for research at their home institutions,
women, gender minorities, members of minoritized or marginalized groups,
and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Current Rutgers students are not encouraged to apply, and are instead
invited to explore the opportunities for research that are uniquely available
to our undergraduates via the Aresty Research Center.
How?
Keep an eye on this space for more information about how to apply!
Last edited November 26, 2024.